The. Gandhiji's great-granddaughter jailed for seven years in Africa

He was accused of embezzling Rs 62 lakh from the executive

Lata Ramgobi deceived the executive by showing false receipts for import of lean containers from India

JOHANNESBURG: Mahatma Gandhi's great-granddaughter Ashish Lata Ramgobin has been sentenced to seven years in prison by a Durban court in South Africa. He was accused of extorting Rs 62 lakh (Rs 3.23 crore) from an businessman named SR Maharaj in the name of managing import and customs duties to bring a consignment from India.

He also promised to share the benefits with the executive. Lata is the daughter of famous activist Ila Gandhi and the late Mewa Ramgobin. Durban's Special Economic Criminal Court has barred him from appealing against both the indictment and the sentence filed against him.

When the trial against Lata began in 2015, NPA director Hungwani Mulaudji said he had given fake receipts and documents to explain to potential investors that three containers of linen were coming from India. Lata was released on 50,000 bail.

During the hearing on Lata Gobin's case on Monday, the court was told that she had met Maharaj, director of New Africa Alliance Footwear Distributors, on August 15.

Maharaj's company imports and manufactures and sells clothing, linen and shoes. It also finances other companies on a profit-sharing basis. During the visit, Lata Ramgobin told Maharaj that she had imported three containers of lentils for South Africa's well-known hospital group Netcare.

NPA spokeswoman Natasha Kara said during the hearing that Lata Ramgobin said she was facing financial difficulties in paying import costs and customs duties.

He also needed money to clear the harbor port. Natasha Kara said Lata told Maharaj that she needed Rs 62 lakh to clear the luggage. He sent Netcare's receipt to Maharaj as proof of delivery and payment.

Cara said Lata Ramgobin was also endorsed by Netcare's bank account. The Maharaja had entered into a written agreement with the Ramgobin family to grant the loan due to the family credit and Netcare documents. Later, when the Maharajah found out that the document was a forgery, he filed a case of fraud against him.